2016 Jeep Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems
631 of the 1,406 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 118 manufacturer bulletins, 4 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database7 of the 631 reports a crash · 3 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2015: 2 · 2016: 22 · 2017: 41 · 2018: 46 · 2019: 96 · 2020: 80 · 2021: 48 · 2022: 56 · 2023: 75 · 2024: 72 · 2025: 66 · 2026: 27
Half of the 367 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 26,000 and 70,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,406 complaints in all about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, 27 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Jeep Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
It appears based on research, the listed vehicles is having the same transmission issues as the 2014-2015 models. Which within several publications Jeep indicated they had resolved the transmission issue in the 2016 model, that had plagued Jeep in the previous two years. Which appears to be an incorrect statement
I went to pass a car on a two lane road. When I stepped on the gas the engine revved to a high RPM but would not speed up. The engine light lit and a " service transmission" message came up. It stayed in 4th gear all the way home ( about 45 miles).
The contact rented a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. While in reverse and applying the brakes, the rented vehicle independently accelerated forward and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was able to be driven. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
I was approaching a dip in the roadway and a sharp left curve on a highway so I slowed down to approximately 20 MPH. When I was in the turn I accelerated and the engine didn't respond. I let up on the accelerator pedal and then attempted to accelerate again.
While driving on highway the engine lurched forward and died in the middle of traffic, I was lucky I was not killed. Called dealer and they towed it. After keeping it for weeks with no loaner, they told me the transmission had to be replaced, this is the fourth time they replaced the transmission and it is very dangerous.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 23V302000 HighApr 27, 2023 · 25,980 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power or loss of park function.
- 20V343000 CriticalJun 11, 2020 · 67,248 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.
- 16V287000 HighMay 11, 2016 · 52 vehicles
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 30, 2015, to October 2, 2015. The left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
- 16V284000 HighMay 11, 2016 · 1,029 vehicles
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2015, to March 22, 2016. The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
118 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- S1721000016 REV. B Service bulletinDec 19, 2025
- Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C14A7-97 PTU Motor Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked.
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
U0402 B10EA P0887 P061B U1424 B10E9 P2097 P2099
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee
Source: the same files- engine problems 320 complaints
- electrical problems 297 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 631 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (45% of everything owners filed about it), and 118 manufacturer bulletins, 4 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading: 23V302000, 20V343000, 16V287000, 16V284000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 49,000 miles; half of them between 26,000 and 70,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.